Character foils in Harry Potter

[Nurvingiel]

Post which two characters you think are foils, and why.

A character foil is two characters who are seeming opposites. This usually applies only to the main character, but I thought it would be interesting to look at all the foils in the Harry Potter books.

Good definition:

A character foil is a character whose traits are in direct contrast to those of the principal character. The foil therefore highlights the traits of the protagonist. The foil is usually a minor character, although if there are two protagonists, they may be foils of each other.

Definition from literary elements.

First of all, I think Voldemort and Professor Dumbledore are the most clear foils in the series. Voldemort embodies all that is cruel, malicious, and evil, while Dumbledore is kind-hearted, and represents good. They are pretty much equal in terms of power, they both have a group of loyal followers - the Death Eaters versus the Order of the Phoenix.

Like Voldemort and Dumbledore are quite similar and yet opposite, the Death Eaters and the Order embody the same qualities as their leaders. The Death Eaters are either cruel or evil people who desire power above all else, or they are weaker wizards forced or tricked into membership. The members of the Order joined voluntarily, and are brave people who will make extreme sacrifces to fight for freedom and good.

Many argue that Harry and Voldemort are foils. However, I think my arguments above that it is V. and Dumbledore are much more compelling, however, I welcome debate.

So who is Harry's foil, you ask? Well, I think it is Draco Malfoy.

Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy are similar enough (as Dumbledore and Voldemort are) to make their differences meaningful. They are both Slytherin potentials, and reasonably good students. However, while Draco chose Slytherin, Harry chose Gryffindor. Harry is brave, and Malfoy is a coward and a tool. Harry has trouble in the dating department, while Malfoy is popular with the Slytherin girls. Harry comes by his Quidditch position through natural talent, and Malfoy (even though he doesn't stink) bought his way on to the team. They each have two best friends, though like Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle are tools. Like Harry, Ron and Hermione are both smart, brave individuals who think for themselves.

Harry and Malfoy are the perfect character foils, and not just because they hate each other's guts.

Who else do you think are foils?

[Minielin]

Whee, I'm so glad you ended up making this thread!

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

First of all, I think Voldemort and Professor Dumbledore are the most clear foils in the series.

Another point that you mentioned but didn't elaborate on is that they are both commonly acknowledged to be the most powerful wizards of their time (if not of all time). Voldemort is freely called "the most evil wizard of all time", whereas Dumbledore, obviously, sets himself against Voldemort.

[sirigorn]

I agree, Dumbledore and Voldemort seem to be clear foils to me. And I agree with you about Harry and Draco as well, that was what immediatly popped to mind.

Seems a bit strange, but the twins and Percy seem to be foils to me, too. Obviously they come from the same background, being brothers, but they ended up totally different. While they're all VERY ambitious, the twins know to put family before work and are immensly loyal. Percy, however, puts work first and even needs to be reminded that "Christmas is a time for family."- by the twins, no less. Percy is a total rule freak, and the twins are, well, not. And they would by no means want to be a prefect, yet that is Percy's greatest achievement. Unless that was becoming Head Boy.

[Minielin]

Originally Posted by sirigorn

Seems a bit strange, but the twins and Percy seem to be foils to me, too.

I agree with you. It's probably not a major point, but they're also described as having sort of opposite body types (Percy=gangly, Fred & George=stocky)

[inked]

Well, I think HP and Voldemort are foils, not D and V. D's foil is more like to be the Minister of Magic. Note that D taught both V and H. But the very first time we meet H we find that he has bested V. So from intro to current OotP, its H vs V. We have only one confrontation between D and V, and NOTE that it was H who again beat V, not D!

[Nurvingiel]

Actually in book five, Dumbledore was the one Voldemort feared, not Harry. However, you do make good points.

Dumbledore and Fudge are excellent foils as well. I think it's possible for there to be more than one in a book.

[Minielin]

Originally Posted by inked

Well, I think HP and Voldemort are foils, not D and V. D's foil is more like to be the Minister of Magic. Note that D taught both V and H. But the very first time we meet H we find that he has bested V. So from intro to current OotP, its H vs V. We have only one confrontation between D and V, and NOTE that it was H who again beat V, not D!

Well, are we discussing antagonism or foils? Maybe I'm mistaken, but I believe that foil means someone who serves as a direct contrast (or opposite) to another. What you are saying points out (correctly, I think) that Harry and Voldemort are each other's nemeses, but in terms of character, Voldemort and Dumbledore seem to me to be more clearly defined foils.

Originally Posted by inked

D's foil is more like to be the Minister of Magic.

*blink* How so? I'm intrigued; can you elaborate a little more?